The Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce city of Poland is currently producing the first of 12 FLIRT trains under the order from PKP Intercity for over PLN 1 billion gross. These will be modern vehicles, the boxes of which will be made of aluminium, not steel.

The subject of the contract signed in August 2019 is the delivery of 12 brand new electric multiple units (EMU) FLIRT type together with the service of their technical maintenance for 15 years. The value of the order is PLN 1.015 billion gross.

According to the adopted schedule, the initial stage of production of the first train at the Siedlce plant of Stadler Polska is underway. At this stage of the works, eight vehicle boxes are built into which the fasteners, insulation and electrical components are placed, and then the cabling and pneumatics will be distributed. In the next stage, among others, wall panels, ceilings and floors. Then, the wagons will be equipped with lighting and equipment, such as armchairs, toilets, a bistro, tables and luggage shelves.

The boxes of modern FLIRT vehicles are made of aluminium, which makes them lighter than steel boxes. Lighter vehicle weight means lower energy consumption as well as lower operating costs, e.g. longer mileage between wheelset changes. At the same time, with relatively low weight, the trains meet all the requirements of European strength standards (EN 12663) and crashworthiness (EN15227).

Delivery of the first two vehicles is scheduled for the second half of 2021.

Modern electric multiple units provided by Stadler Polska will be adapted to the speed of 160 km / h, which will allow efficient use of the modernized railway lines. They will also be equipped with the ETCS system ensuring high travel safety. The vehicles shall have 294 2nd class seats and 60 1st class seats.

Adam Laskowski, Member of the PKP Intercity Management Board, said: “12 modern electric multiple units will be a significant expansion of our fleet. Passengers will gain new trains that will allow them to travel safely and comfortably on longer routes. The initial plans assume the directing of new vehicles to the Szczecin-Lublin, Szczecin-Kraków and Kraków-Lublin routes.”

Tomasz Prejs, President of Stadler Polska, said: “We are very happy that we are implementing this prestigious order in our factory in Siedlce. We are currently completing the construction of a new 165 m long assembly and commissioning hall, in which the eight-section FLIRT vehicles will be launched. The investment worth PLN 44 million was implemented directly in connection with the receipt of an order from PKP Intercity for 12 new FLIRT vehicles. They will all be built-in Siedlce.”

The purchase of 12 brand new vehicles is one of the pillars of the largest investment strategy in the history of PKP Intercity. The aim of the PLN 7 billion "PKP Intercity - Large Investments Railway" program is the modernization and purchase of new rolling stock and further improvement of travel comfort. After the end of the program in 2023, the carrier's fleet will be 80% new or modernized, 94% air conditioning will be available on trains, and at least 77% wireless Internet. The value of the so far contracted investments under the largest rolling stock strategy in the history of the company is currently over PLN 4.5 billion gross.

PKP Intercity invests in modern EZT trains. The carrier currently has 20 Pendolino, 20 Dart and 20 FLIRT. Moreover, in June last year, the company signed a contract worth nearly PLN 275 million gross for the modernization of 14 ED74 vehicles. After the contract is completed by Stadler Polska, the company will have a fleet of 86 modern electric multiple units.

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